STORY:
There were these two talented, preachers. Both were young. They met in their mid-teens. Two years apart in age. Both were destined for greatness, extremely gifted. They loved each other. Within a few years they were really good friends.
YOUNG LIONS
Soon, they were both leaders, young lions, pastoring, small congregations. Mid-twenties now. Then, they both started hosting conferences. Because they loved each others' ministry. Each year, they invited each other to preach in their meeting. They BLEW IT UP. Their people "Begged" them to please, please, please, invite them back, next year. THEY DID.
They were "best of friends". When national doors began to open, they were in each others' cheering section. At times, serving as an adjutant without knowing what that was. There was no ego. Just, two brothers, doing what brothers' do.
TRUTH
Then one day, at dinner, one shared with the other, that, at times, he felt the other, was, "in competition" with him. There was no anger, just honesty. The other friend responded humbly and apologized, assuring him that wasn't his intent. Deep in his heart, he knew there was truth to it.
RELIEVED
The older preacher was relieved that his friend didn't take it wrong. He said, "why don't we meet half way sometime and just have lunch and fellowship. They lived three hours apart. They agreed to do it. But, it never happened. One of them, never "prioritized the relationship". After all, their church was growing much faster than his elder brother. He was on radio, local TV, writing booklets, etc...
Then one day, the older preacher had a conference and invited his now, "better known" friend. He also asked could he "borrow" his duplicators. The friend said yes to both. Made a lot of stipulations. From offering, to charge for rental, cost for labor, travel reimbursement, etc...
TEARS
The older preacher choked back tears because he couldn't believe his friend would charge him so much and act like he didn't trust him. However, tho hurt, he told no one, because of how much he knew they respected him. He just, humbly, said, "THANK YOU BUT NO THANK YOU"! You see, the company he used had backed out and he needed the tape sales to pay for his conference, so he called his ANOINTED, NICE, TRUST-WORTHY, but EGO-DRIVEN, COMPETITIVE FRIEND.....(STAY WITH ME)
He swallowed his tears. Hung up gracefully. Went into a room and wept. Wiped his tears and then told his team they would need to try something else. NEVER ONCE UNCOVERING HIS FRIEND.
He pressed and had a great conference. His friend really preached the next night, despite his, ego-driven self. In fact, he was DOUBLY ANOINTED. He preached on "The Eternal Godhead".
The older also preached and someone asked him, how, he thought he did and he answered, self-effacing and meekly, "I WAS THE WEAKEST LINK"! That's not everyone what else said. They said he wrecked it. He was too humble to praise himself.
THE TURNING
Fast forward the tape, 17 years, both had international platforms. One was mega, one was with its' beak coming out the shell. One had 28,000 members. One had pastored a few thousand. One had a 40,000, multi-million dollar facility, on 12 acres. One had about a 300,000 square foot complex on a lake and 200 or more prime acres, worth about 50 million. One had cd duplicators. The other had a warehouse with semi's delivering his product. One was hosting conferences of
a thousand. One hosted conferences that eclipsed. 150,000. One was unmarried. The other was happily married. Both, produced SUPER STAR CHILDREN. They had that in common. Both, recently re-connected and they are like teen age friends again. This time, its not MINISTRY, COMPETITION, EGO, etc... The younger preacher is older, wiser, stronger and BROKEN TO BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS THROUGH SHOWING HIS SCARS. The other, is the ELDER BROTHER WHO WELCOMED, the preaching, Prodigal home, with the spirit of a father, "MY SON, who was DEAD, BUT, NOW ALIVE!!!!!
GUESS WHO
You've figured it out by now. I, Sir Brian, was the younger, ego-driven, God loving preacher and Sir TD JAKES was the elder, humble, forgiving, brother. Back the tape up again. My friend confessed his hurt 26 years ago and I more than made up for my error.
I learned quickly. Valued his friendship too much and he, mine as well. We drifted apart. NEVER AGAIN. He said let's meet meet half-way, when, we were young. Now, I WOULD MEET HIM AROUND THE WORLD!!!
MORAL OF THE STORY:
Word: TO ALL---- BE SPIRIT LED, NOT, EGO DRIVEN. NEVER BE IMPRESSED WITH YOUR "FEW DUPLICATORS' SELF". VALUE COVENANT FRIENDS AND CHECK YOUR MASSIVE EGO AT THE DOOR IN JESUS NAME!!! Especially Preachers. As APOSTLE,
Agape... Sir Brian
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